Tag: happiness

Did you know that flowers can actually make you happy. Seeing their bright colors, smelling their pleasing scents, and touching their soft blooms can actually change your mood. In fact, people actually use flowers as a way of combatting stress.

You’ve probably heard many people say how happy they were to receive flowers or that they just love the sight of fresh flowers in their home. But why? Why is it that flowers seem to make people happy all the time? As surprising as it may be, there truly is some scientific proof that flowers can make us happy! A study by the State University of New Jersey shows that the saying “stop and smell the roses” actually has some real meaning behind it.

According to the study, flowers can trigger happy emotions. For ten months, the team studied the emotional and behavioral responses of people who received flowers. From their reactions, the researchers drew several conclusions. First, flowers can have an immediate impact on our happiness. When the people received flowers, they smiled and were genuinely happy to get the flowers. But flowers do more than make us momentarily happy. The study also showed that the participants tended to feel happy over a number of days, especially when they saw the flowers.

Participants also reported feeling less lonely even after the flowers had wilted and were gone. This is because receiving the flowers helped them to make connections with other people. Receiving flowers says that someone is thinking of you, and that can mean the world.

There you have it—scientific proof that flowers can change your mood. Next time you know someone needs a little pick-me-up, send them a great arrangement of flowers in Washington, DC. You’ll make them happy for days and forge a stronger relationship with them as well.

Fighting with your girlfriend or wife is not fun. Sometimes, it seems like that’s all you do because there’s always something she’s upset about. However, it’s really not that difficult to keep her happy. Here are ten easy things you can do to keep her from yelling at you.

10 – Put the toilet seat down! It’s a classic, but it might just be the end to your troubles.

9 – Help out around the house. If she asks you to take the trash out, don’t wait for three days. Besides leading to a funky smell in the kitchen, it shows you don’t respect her.

8 – Compromise. Don’t always expect to get your way. Couples often have a few different interests, and the key to a healthy relationship is to do things together that she likes as often as you do things together that you like.

7 – Don’t be cheap. When selecting gifts, get her a quality gift, not what has the lowest price tag. She’ll notice cheaply made trinket. Sometimes this means shopping early so you’re not stuck trying to find a last-minute gift.

6 – Be original. Gifts you make yourself aren’t cheap. Write her a poem, sketch her, or write a song for her. No, there’s no cost to you, but these types of gifts are unique and touching. You don’t have to spend a lot to show her you love her.

5 – Be involved. Don’t just ask her the routine “how was your day?” when you get home. Actively engage in a discussion. Help her cook and clean. Give one of her hobbies a shot. You might not like it, but she will appreciate the fact that you took the time to do something she enjoys.

4 – Surprise her. Bring her a little gift when she’s not expecting it. Make a reservation at her favorite restaurant without her knowing. Plan a surprise weekend get-away. Little surprises every now and then remind her why she fell in love with you.

3 – Apologize when you’re in the wrong. Don’t hold a grudge, especially if you’re the one who messed up. Let her know you’re sorry and that the fight is over. Letting bad feelings linger can sour a relationship quickly.

2 – Compliment her often. Tell her she looks good, smells good, etc. Just make sure you’re being sincere. No one likes hearing compliments that aren’t truthful.

1 – Send her flowers, even when it’s not your anniversary or her birthday. Women love flowers, and you’re sure to make her smile by giving her a big bouquet of her favorite blooms. Better yet, send them to her at work so she will be the envy of the office.

Being good to yourself is kind of a no-brainer. Really, are their people out there who aren’t good to themselves? Well, the answer is yes, but some people don’t even know it. Mastering the art of being good to yourself can be difficult, but here are a few ways.

Say no to junk food. Well, no one ever really says no completely, but do try to limit yourself. Dessert when out to dinner with friends is one thing, but eating an entire package of cookies or a full carton of ice cream while at home is quite another. Try to watch how many sweets you eat. Doing so is a great way of being good to your body.

Another way to be good to your body is to exercise. The human body was built for movement, so get up off the couch and move! You don’t have to do major calisthenics, but go out for a walk, do some yoga, or even join a gym. Keeping your body is top shape has many different benefits.

Being good to your body is just one part of being good to yourself. You also have to be good to your mind. This means take some time to just enjoy life. Read a book, watch a movie, or play a game. All of these activities and others will help relax your mind and give you a much needed break from the stress of daily life. Work and everything else will still be there, but it’s not healthy to let these worries consume you.

Keep your spirit healthy, too, and you’ll have completed the third part of being good to yourself. Spirit doesn’t necessarily have to be religious or spiritual in nature, although these activities can certainly help your spirit grow. Spirit in this case means our emotional selves. It’s not healthy to always be depressed or sad. Take some time out of each day to laugh and smile at something. Stop and smell the roses, as the saying goes, and you’ll find yourself in a good mood.

Body. Mind. Emotions. Be good to all three, and you’ll find that you’ve mastered the art of being good to yourself.

Stress seems like a constant in our world. Whether we’re stressing over work, technology, a relationship, money, or something small like a stain on the carpet, stress is almost always in our lives. But there are many ways to combat stress, and one of those ways is with flower therapy.

You’ve probably heard many people say how happy they were to receive flowers or that they just love the sight of fresh flowers in their home. But why? Why is it that flowers seem to make people happy all the time? Is there really a type of “flower therapy,” or is it just wishful thinking? As surprising as it may be, there truly is some scientific proof that flowers can make us happy! A study by the State University of New Jersey shows that the saying “stop and smell the roses” actually has some real meaning behind it.

According to the study, flowers can trigger happy emotions. For ten months, the team studied the emotional and behavioral responses of people who received flowers. From their reactions, the researchers drew several conclusions. First, flowers can have an immediate impact on our happiness. When the people received flowers, they smiled and were genuinely happy to get the flowers. But flowers do more than make us momentarily happy. The study also showed that the participants tended to feel happy over a number of days, especially when they saw the flowers.

Participants also reported feeling less lonely even after the flowers had wilted and were gone. This is because receiving the flowers helped them to make connections with other people. Receiving flowers says that someone is thinking of you, and that can mean the world.

There you have it—scientific proof that flower therapy is the real deal! Next time you know someone needs a little pick-me-up, send them a great arrangement of flowers. You’ll make them happy for days and forge a stronger relationship with them as well.

M.J. Ryan, happiness expert and author of the Random Acts of Kindness book series, has coupled her expertise on the power of gratitude with her love of flowers to create Random Acts of Flowers, a list of her favorite reasons to send a floral gift.

“I see flowers as a way to capture special moments and emotions in life,” says Ryan. “People truly and fondly remember when they get flowers, and you will continue to feel thanked throughout your relationship long after you send them.”

Here are Ryan’s Top 10 Random Acts of Flowers:

One Who Makes a Difference: Think of the carpool mom, scout leader, local volunteer or apartment doorman who makes an everyday difference in your life. A surprise bouquet is a convenient, informal way to say “Thanks for making my life easier.”

Wedding Arrangements: When asking a friend to join your wedding party or expressing thanks to a shower hostess, ask your florist to help make it special by delivering an arrangement in advance of the big day.

Best Friend Boosts: Send a celebrational bunch to a best friend who lands a dream job, a sibling who receives a promotion at work, or a friend who reaches a personal milestone. Show them you care about their success.

A Moment of Calm: Help someone dealing with a hectic time in their life relax with a tranquil gift of flowers. Your florist can give you ideas on soothing colors and styles, and help you deliver that “moment of calm.” The recipient will be impressed by your thoughtfulness.

Life Lessons: Surprise your child’s teacher or tutor with an eye-popping arrangement for his/her desk. Ask your child to put his/her favorite teaching moment on the gift card to make a memory that lasts a lifetime.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Welcome a new family or delight an elderly neighbor who does not get out much with a colorful flowering plant or fresh flowers for their kitchen. It’s a great way to break the ice, meet a friend and show you care.

Fresh Squeeze: Don’t wait for Valentine’s Day to say “I love you.” Research shows that people like to receive flowers when they least expect it. Send a surprise floral hug to make your romance spontaneously blossom. Or, on your birthday, send flowers to your mom to thank her for all she’s done for you.

Delivery is in the Details: Show your appreciation to your hair stylist who always manages to fit you in during a pinch, or your doctor who spends those extra minutes to show he/she cares.

Declare You Care: Send a bouquet to celebrate a friend who has recovered from an illness or a new mom on her first day back to work. It will be a beautiful reminder of your support and friendship.

“Flowers are the perfect expression of gratitude and appreciation, and they deliver a message with sincerity and care,” says Ryan. “The new research shows that these positive characteristics also are attributed to the giver. Giving flowers is an act of kindness, and the results are anything but random.”